1. French Subject Pronouns and ‘to be’ – the verb être 2. French Plural Personal Pronouns – nous, vous, ils & elles 3. Politeness in French – the pronouns vous and tu 4. Asking questions in French using inversion 5. It is, that is, they are – c’est & ce sont 6. French fenders and the definite articles – le & la 7. In and on – the prepositions dans & sur 8. Negation in French, not – ne pas 9. French adjectives and gender – masculine and feminine 10. Feminine adjectives in French – some rules
French is a beautiful and romantic language that has captured the hearts of many people around the world. Whether you want to communicate with French-speaking people, visit France, or simply immerse yourself in a new culture, learning French can be a rewarding experience. With the right approach and resources, you can become fluent in French in no time.
Why Learn French?
There are many good reasons to learn French. For starters, French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 300 million speakers. It is an official language in 29 countries and is widely used in international business, diplomacy, and education.
In addition to its practical benefits, French is also a rich and fascinating culture. From the art, literature, and fashion of Paris to the music and cuisine of the French-speaking world, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are interested in history, art, food, or music, learning French will give you a window into a vibrant and diverse culture.
How to Learn French
Learning French can seem overwhelming at first, but with the right approach and resources, it can be a fun and engaging process. Here are some tips to get you started:
Set achievable goals. Whether you want to be able to have a conversation with a French-speaking friend or to read French literature, setting specific, achievable goals will help you stay motivated and focused.
Immerse yourself in the language. The best way to learn French is to immerse yourself in it. Watch French films, listen to French music, and speak with native speakers as much as possible.
Practice regularly. Consistent practice is key to learning any language. Make a study schedule and stick to it, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
Use a variety of resources. From language learning apps to online courses, there are many resources available to help you learn French. Experiment with different resources to find what works best for you.
French Vocabulary and Grammar
Learning French vocabulary and grammar is an essential part of becoming fluent in the language. Here are some of the key components of French grammar:
Nouns and adjectives. In French, nouns and adjectives have gender and number. This means that they must agree with the noun they are describing in both gender and number. For example, the French word for “book” is “livre,” which is masculine, and the word for “pretty” is “joli,” which is masculine or feminine depending on the noun it is describing. It can take some getting used to, but with practice, it will become second nature.
Verbs. French verbs are conjugated to match the subject of the sentence. This means that the ending of the verb changes to reflect the subject of the sentence, such as “I speak” versus “he speaks.” There are many irregular verbs in French, so it is important to practice regularly to master them.
Sentence structure. French sentences have a different structure than English sentences. The subject usually comes before the verb in a French sentence, while in English the subject usually comes after the verb. It is important to learn the basic sentence structure in French to communicate effectively.
Pronouns. French has a number of different pronouns, including subject pronouns, direct object pronouns, and indirect object pronouns. It is important to learn the different pronouns and their uses to communicate effectively in French.
Tenses. French has several tenses, including the present, past, and future, which are used to describe actions that have taken place, are taking place, or will take place in the future. It is important to learn the different tenses and their uses to communicate effectively in French.
Conjunctions. French conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, and clauses. They can be used to express a variety of relationships, such as time, reason, and result. It is important to learn the different conjunctions and their uses to communicate effectively in French.
In addition to learning the basic grammar rules, it is also important to build your vocabulary. There are many resources available to help you learn new French words, including online dictionaries, flashcards, and language learning apps. The more words you know, the easier it will be to communicate effectively in French.
With consistent practice and a focus on vocabulary and grammar, you can become proficient in French and communicate effectively with native speakers.
French Pronunciation
Pronunciation is a critical aspect of speaking French. While French pronunciation can seem intimidating at first, with practice, you will be able to speak the language with ease. Here are some tips to improve your French pronunciation:
Listen to native speakers. Pay close attention to the way French-speaking people pronounce words and phrases.
Practice your pronunciation regularly. Say words and phrases out loud, paying close attention to the sounds you are making.
Use online resources. There are many online resources available to help you improve your French pronunciation, including videos, audio recordings, and pronunciation exercises.
Conclusion
Learning French can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it takes time, effort, and dedication. By setting achievable goals, immersing yourself in the language, practicing regularly, and using a variety of resources, you can become fluent in French
Becoming fluent in French depends on several factors, including the amount of time you dedicate to study and practice, your natural language ability, and the resources you use. On average, it can take anywhere from 600 to 750 hours of study to reach basic fluency in French. However, it can take much longer to become fully fluent, which often requires immersion in a French-speaking environment and continued practice.
The estimate of 600 to 750 hours of study to reach basic fluency in French is a widely-accepted approximation in language learning research and education**. This estimate is based on the average time it takes for a student to learn a language at a pace of around 20-30 hours of study per week, which is the average amount of time that a student might dedicate to language learning in a structured setting such as a classroom or a language course. However, this is just an estimate, and actual fluency may vary depending on individual learning styles, aptitudes, and the amount of time dedicated to practice..
To become fluent in French, you should aim to do the following:
Immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. This can include listening to French music, watching French TV shows and movies, and speaking with native speakers.
Study grammar and vocabulary regularly. This can involve using textbooks, language learning apps, and taking courses.
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Practice speaking and writing in French as much as possible. This can include having conversations with native speakers, writing in a French journal, and participating in language exchanges.
Stay motivated and be patient. Learning a new language takes time and effort, and progress may be slow at times. It’s important to stay motivated and persistent in your studies.
Remember, the more time and effort you put into learning French, the faster you will become fluent.
English speakers often find the following aspects of the French language challenging:
Pronunciation: French pronunciation can be difficult for English speakers because of the different sounds and stress patterns in the language.
Grammar: French grammar has several unique features, such as verb conjugation and subject-verb agreement, that can be difficult for English speakers to master.
Vocabulary: French and English have different vocabulary, and some words in French may have multiple meanings, which can make it difficult to understand.
Gender: French nouns are assigned gender (masculine or feminine), and this can be difficult for English speakers to remember.
Verb tenses: French has many different verb tenses that can be challenging for English speakers to master.
The subjunctive mood: This widely used mood in French be challenging for English speakers. The subjunctive is used to express doubt, emotion, or subjective opinions, and it often requires a different conjugation of verbs than the indicative mood. The subjunctive is used in a variety of constructions in French, such as in subordinate clauses, and it can be difficult for English speakers to understand when and how to use it correctly. Additionally, the subjunctive is used less frequently in English than in French, which can make it a challenging aspect of the language for English speakers to master.
** Here are some references that support the estimate of 600-750 hours of study to reach basic fluency in French:
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the U.S. Department of State provides estimates of the time it takes to reach fluency in different languages, based on the average student’s progress. According to FSI, it takes an average of 600-750 class hours to reach basic proficiency in French.
A report by the European Commission on language learning in Europe, called “Key Data on Teaching Languages at School in Europe,” provides a similar estimate, stating that it takes an average of 600 hours of language instruction to reach a basic level of proficiency in a foreign language.
A study published in the “Language Learning Journal” found that students who participated in a language immersion program for a total of 675 hours (or approximately 22 weeks) showed significant gains in proficiency in the target language.
Of course these estimates are based on average figures and may vary depending on individual learning styles, aptitudes, and other factors.
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The Institute de Français is a French language school in Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Rivera. A few years ago I attended a 4-week course there. It was excellent.
The school is set up to immerse student in the French language to the greatest degree possible (shy of holding them completely captive). It is what the Institute calls the ‘Total Approach’ and it is highly effective. They achieve immersion through various means:
A ‘French only’ policy is strictly enforced on campus. And most students also try to speak only French off campus in the evenings and on weekends.
Most students are there for a full 4-week course which is long enough to really get deeply into the language.
Instruction is in French only – even at the absolute beginner levels.
The French-only days are long – 8 1/2 hours.
The day includes breakfast and lunch. Students sit at tables of eight and each table includes a teacher who is there to ensure that the meal is accompanied by conversion – in French of course.
In the class-room the focus is very much on functional French that gets the student speaking as much as possible. Rather than focusing on grammar theory, the emphasis is on providing patterns that can be used in conversion.
For me the Institute was an inflection point. Prior to attending I had lived in Paris for 6 years but both my personal/social and work environments had been very much Anglophone. So while my French was sufficient to get me into the top class at the Institute, it was embarrassingly inadequate considering I’d already lived in France for an extended period.
It is not cheap – 5,800 € for the 4-week course. But the month I invested at Villefranche-sur-Mer changed everything. On returning to Paris I found myself speaking French comfortably – of course not perfectly – and without hesitation. The most important benefit of my time at the Institute was that it forced me to get over any hang-ups I had about making mistakes and embarrassing myself.
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French has long been the most popular language learned by English speakers – including in Britain, Canada and the United States. Indeed, it has among the highest proportion of non-native speakers of all major languages.
French is among the easiest of languages for an English speaker to learn. The United States Foreign Service Institute ranks French in its second tier of easiest languages to learn for English speakers.
French is easy to learn because:
There is a great deal of shared vocabulary thanks to William the Conqueror and the Norman conquest in 1066. Indeed half of English vocabulary has French/Latin roots.
All French nouns have one of two genders – male or female. While at first this might seem daunting it quickly becomes natural with the gendered article (‘le’ or ‘la’) learnt as part of the noun. So rather than just chat (‘cat’) we memorize le chat (‘the cat’). And ‘la chat’ just sounds wrong.
French grammar, though somewhat irregular, is not that challenging despite the much-feared subjunctive mood.
Pronunciation can be challenging with quite a few sounds that aren’t found in English. But the French are so used to hearing their language spoken with a foreign accent that this is rarely a barrier to being understood.
The two levels of politeness (the vous and tu forms) are quite straight forward even though getting comfortable with the situations in each should used can make an English speakers as bit nervous.
Oral comprehension can present difficulties – that is understanding a native speaking talking. The French language has a lot of contractions and small particles which can be difficult to catch, especially when spoken quickly (and perhaps with a regional accent). For example ‘il y en a un‘ which means ‘there is one of them’.
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The very commonly used French phrase Qu’est-ce que c’est ? is the contorted way in which the circumlocutory French ask ‘What is it?’.
Or as the French would say ‘What is that which it is?’.
Let’s break it down into its six contingent words and take a closer look:
(1.) Qu‘ + (2.) est + (3.) ce + (4.) que + (5.) c‘ + (6.) est
Qu’ is an abbreviation of the interrogative pronoun que meaning ‘what’.
est is a conjugation of the verb ‘to be’ – in this case ‘is’.
ce is a demonstrative adjective meaning ‘it’ or ‘that’.
que is the relative pronoun. also mean ‘that’ or ‘which’. Taken together ceque is an indefinite relative pronoun and means something like ‘that which’.
c‘ is an abbreviation of ce which as we saw means ‘it’ or ‘that’.
And also once again est is a conjugation of the verb ‘to be’ – in this case ‘is’.
So reassembling we have ‘what’ + ‘is’ + ‘it’ + ‘that which’ + ‘it’ + ‘is’.
And now we know what it is. Or to put it in a way the French might: Nous savons ce qu’est « Qu’est-ce que c’est » !
Ça y est !
Oh – and here is how it is pronounced:
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